Sherlock Holmes GoS

[piplover]

Spoilers!  There are spoilers under the cut.  I am going to babble like a babbling thing about this movie, so you have been warned.  Read at your own risk, because I lay it all out there. 


First off, OMG.  I freely admit, I was worried a bit about this.  I wondered if they would fall into the same trap as so many sequels, where they end up killing the thing that made the first movie amazing. Too many times they go too far overboard and rather than being fun, a movie becomes silly.   Or action  becomes all the movie is about, or the characters are left behind to become caricatures.  But this.... Oh, I should have trusted. 

When the killed Irene, I was happy. Thrilled.  I didn't like her in the first one, and I thought she served no purpose in this, other than a catalyst.  I liked Irene in the books. She was a powerful, strong woman who was clever and who Holmes underestimated because of her gender.  I didn't like vixen Irene who was more whore than lady.  I don't think a woman has to be a bitch or a slut to be powerful.  A woman can be gentle, can be equal with a man and polite.  She doesn't have to try to and bust his balls every chance she has, and that's what I hated about Irene. She was so far from what the character originally was the only thing she shared was the name. So I'm glad they killed her. 

The stag night was funny. I liked how Holmes had become so obsessed with Moriarty that he totally forgot.  Probably on purpose, actually. It broke my heart, watching the movie, to see how much Holmes loved his Watson, and how it was breaking him to watch him leave.  Whether you see slash or just epic friendship, Watson was Holmes' rock. He kept him grounded and allowed him to flourish, and without him Holmes floundered.  They portrayed that beautifully. The scene right before the wedding, when Holmes took Watson's hand and they limped in together.... That was just... Right there. That's their friendship right there. 

Also, without his Holmes, Watson stagnated.  You could see it in the way he let loose at his stag party and with the gypsies.  He may think he wants marriage and kids and a steady job, but I can guarantee that within a year he would be bored silly and longing for adventure. 

Speaking of the gypsies, I liked Sim.  I loved her, in fact. She was a great character who wasn't trying to compete with the main characters, who was powerful in her own way. She didn't have to flaunt herself to try and prove herself, she simply was that amazing.  She had her own concerns, and her own connections.  She wasn't trying to play Holmes or Watson, and she added to the story rather than just sitting there as pretty window dressing.  So, finally!  A woman who had courage and brains and her own story. 

Mary. I hate movie Mary.  She was a simpering cow who I was all too happy to see pushed off the train. Yay, Holmes!  I absolutely loved when she was staying with Mycroft how he was going about naked to throw her off.  In my head, Mycroft knows how Holmes feels about Watson, and wasn't too happy with her.  So for his baby brother, he wandered around naked because he knew it would throw her off.  That, and he's Mycroft! 

There was so much action, and fighting, and torture, and the boys being boys.  But the ending. Oh, my.  The end.  When Watson comes through that door and, just for a moment, meets Holmes' eye, and then Holmes goes over the falls... My heart broke.  Holmes looked so utterly peaceful, accepting death, embracing it even, knowing his Watson was safe.  The contract between him and Moriarty was amazing and powerful, and all in the space of a few heartbeats.  

Amazing. This movie was wonderful. Funny and heartbreaking and powerful.  I know some people are put off by the lack of women, or the fact that there's too much action.  But Sherlock Holmes was never about the women. It was about these two amazing men, and their friendship, and the mysteries. If you want a story about women, then I hate to say it, but you're looking at the wrong fandom.  There were powerful women, but they were never the center of the stories, and they shouldn't be. 

There was action, too, but the original stories were action adventures! It was chasing criminals and fighting bad guys and taking down evil.  And this is a Hollywood movie. There's going to be explosions and fight scenes, which is a sad fact.

I only wish they had showed Holmes' brilliance more, showed his thought processes more and focused a bit less on his fighting abilities.

So, that's that. Not a very good review, I know. Mostly just me babbling about what I loved and didn't love about it.  Let me know your thoughts? 

Comments

[ingridmatthews.livejournal.com]

I agree with all of this.

I have no idea where Kelly Rielly got the memo that said "MAKE HER DUMBER, WHINIER AND BLONDER" because, damn, I wish I had a Little Hansel to point at the screen every time she showed up like a Mel Brook squeaky girl. And NO to her and the Red Book. Minus 1,000,000. You "liked him in your own way"? Whatever, Mary. PLS BE GETTIN THE TUBERCULOSIS AND DYIN' NAO, THANX BYE.

By contrast, Sim was cool, smart, tough and had her own amazing life. She also cooks a mean hedgehog.

Holmes looked so utterly peaceful, accepting death, embracing it even, knowing his Watson was safe.

This destroyed me. Unrequited, yet unconditional, love is very painful to watch. Just a glimpse of his face kept behind closed eyes to be able to die happy? Um, Holmes, you deserve better than that, but I know, you don't want better -- you want him, always and forever. And he wants ... ugh. Ouch.

I'm all teary again now. *sniffle* Maybe it's hormones, but this movie struck me as scary and very, very sad. (Although Moran after them in the forest -- best thing since some prime David Lynch. What beautiful work.)

[piplover.livejournal.com]

I think the movie was, in a lot of ways, very sad. But there were really good moments, too. The dance scene was lovely, and I think in their own way, they were saying goodbye. One last dance, literally.

You know, maybe this makes me kind of pathetic, but I can totally understand Holmes and his love for Watson. He's a very private person, he doesn't let people in, and when he does - he loves them unconditionally, totally and completely. There's no desire in him to want anyone else. He's found the one, and that's all he needs. The fact that Watson doesn't, or can't, return his love, hurts. But it's the kind of hurt where you know he would rather have some of Watson than lose him completely.

God, can't they just kill Mary off now so the boys can get back together? I mean, seriously. That bitch, telling Watson she liked Holmes in her own way. What way was that, the one where you, a lowly governess, looks down her nose at him? Bah!

I'm just going to keep picturing Holmes throwing her from the train. I wanted to clap!

[enkiduts.livejournal.com]

I'm just going to keep picturing Holmes throwing her from the train. I wanted to clap!

I did, Loudly twice and got some of the audience to do it as well.

Your understanding as stated just above--of Holmes and his love for Watson. YES. THIS. You put it perfectly. That private "Sherly No Mates" person loves with all his heart and soul--and he really can't spread that superficially over a bunch of medical colleagues, rugby mates and whatever other friends Watson was braggiing about having. It is ever the quality of the friends you have, not the quantity--and Holmes dared to put all the eggs in one proverbial basket...and accepts the consequences of that. I could kick Watson's ass for all those comments...but that is another rant. And I'm not sure of Holmes not having "Loved too well but not wisely" given Watson's juvenile behavior in this film.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who hates Movie Mary even MORE now. I didn't think that was possible. Hell, in retrospect I LOVE Irene---between the two I'd rather have had Irene live than Mary...

[ingridmatthews.livejournal.com]

I'd trade 100 Mary's for Irene. NO, A BILLION.

And in retrospect(after a fitful night of sleep) I don't think Watson was bragging or being mean, I think he's desperately -- and vehemently -- trying to convince himself that he likes "normality" (or his version of it) and is pretty much lying like a rug.

"I HAVE FRIENDS. AND A WIFE. AND WILL HAVE KIDS. AND I WILL LOVE IT NO MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE. YES!"

"Okay, don't dance with the gypsys then, dear Watson."

"OMG, I LOVE DANCING! AND GAMBLING! AND DRINKING! AND SHOOTING BIG GUNS! \o/"

"Sigh."

[piplover.livejournal.com]

I don't think he was being mean, or trying to shove it in Holmes' face, either. I think he was trying to convince himself, and also disappointed in Holmes. I mean, it is his big day, and Holmes did agree to be his best man. I think he was a little hurt that, even though he knows how Holmes is, he didn't put a bit more effort into what was supposed to be a big deal for him.

Still... I think the scene before the wedding made up for it, as when it all came down to it, they were still in things together. Oh, boys!

[falling-voices.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see this. It sounds like a piece of work, but I also think — from all the spoilers I've read, which admittedly are quite a lot — that I'm going to like it better than I did the first one. Hopefully, anyway.

I've a hard time hating on either Irene or Mary, to be honest, because I think both Rachel MacAdams and Kelly Reilly are fantastic actresses; but I hated the way they treated Irene in the first movie, and the fact that they just off and kill her in this one doesn't make me sympathise much with the scriptwriters. She's an interesting character in her own way, but she's simply not Irene Adler, and that they should eventually just reduce the greatest female character in the entire Holmes books to an annoying extra who gets killed off in grand indifference is frankly frustrating.

As for Mary, I liked her well enough in the first movie, so I'll have to see what they make of her in this one. None of what I've heard so far is very positive :/

Terribly excited for Reichenbach, though. All the Sherlock Holmes-related fandoms are going to be in tears this year.

[enkiduts.livejournal.com]

Oh Irene's not killed off with indifference, not at all. The reveal is actually very powerful and affecting and informs a subsequent scene with some heartbraking subtext. As well as Moriarty's depravity, which amps up as the film progresses as well but that's a whole other discussion.

For all that Irene is only in the movie for five minutes--she manages to effect it going forward in a way her entire performance in the first film did not.

[ingridmatthews.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's a grand death scene, that's for sure. Brilliant, actually.

[piplover.livejournal.com]

The movie really is amazing. It's more serious than the first, but it's also got more intimate moments, too.

I don't think Irene was killed indifferently. Remember, she was only in one story, so her very presence in the first movie was rather superfluous. At this point, having her in the movie served no purpose and was really pushing things. Her death was a catalyst, and it wasn't treated cavalierly.

I think some people have a problem because there was no weeping and pulling of hair. But Holmes isn't like that, never has been and never will be. The impact of her death is played beautifully, and, in my opinion, is all the more powerful for it's subtlety.

[falling-voices.livejournal.com]

That's more than I had heard from other sources; I'm glad it's treated subtly and respectfully. Even so, the mere fact that they killed her off makes me a bit uneasy — when I spoke of indifference, it wasn't so much Holmes' indifference to her death than it was the scriptwriters'. Overall, I really don't think they've treated female characters particularly well in the first movie — which is why I'm looking forward to Sim, which you mention is very good — and in the continuity of 'let's turn Irene Adler into

[falling-voices.livejournal.com]

Damnit, sorry; hit send too soon — 'into a simpering harlot instead of the strong, non-men-dominated person she is in the books', I just don't trust them much with her at all.

I'll have to see for myself, I guess. I heard very completely diverging opinions about her death, so I can't really make up my mind regarding it yet.

Thanks for the in-depth review, anyhow — I'm very much looking forward to seeing this now.

[forcryinoutloud.livejournal.com]

*flails* OMG I cannot wait to see this!!! But sadly, will have to as the closest theatre to me playing it is two hours or more away. *sobs* :P Oh well. But I've been scouring the net for spoilers. *grins* Thanks for sharing hon. ;)

Also HURRAH! I totally hated movie Irene too. :P And I suppose it would be too much to hope they'd killed Mary off as well. ::whistles:: Maybe in the next one. ;)

[genagirl.livejournal.com]

Great review! I do have a question - you mentioned the military tags (not here, but on a comment) I think I either was distracted or confused or something - what do you mean? Watson gave them to Holmes just before the wedding? I love that scene, him gently leading Watson inside. Oh RDJ's face can show so much w/o even a word. His pain came through so clearly. And the "falls" scene broke my heart. I am seeing this again on Tuesday so I want to catch the things I missed first time. This is one of the best sequels I've seen (the other was Return to Snowy River), most take what you like and then make it bigger w/o making it better. This one took the heart of it (Holmes & Watson) and added the cool visual effects as well as a good plot and made it bigger and better. I can not wait to see it again.

[piplover.livejournal.com]

I don't think I mentioned any tags, so I'm not certain what comment you are referring to, sorry.

It is a really good sequel. I usually don't like them because the leave out all the things that made the fist one so special, but this one really did a good job I think. I'm going to see it again tomorrow, and maybe Monday, lol.

[gaffer42.livejournal.com]

Adored this one. Just adored it. But...I know I'm in the minority here - I do NOT hate Mary. (ducks) I actually think she showed a bit of balls this movie, for instance she wasn't just **flail** when the bad guy came into the carriage, she aimed the gun at the bad guy "I think it's time for you to leave..." :) My attitude (again, ducking and finding asbestos underwear for the flames) is - hey, John Watson's no dope, so why would he be dating a dope?

However, on to the rest of the movie!

I am a big fan of how both RDJ and JL portrayed these characters in the movie, though. I forget how good an actor RDJ is, really. Some of my favourite moments have been mentioned, Piplover brought up the last scene above the falls and described it absolutely perfectly. But one of my faves is the scene right after the party, when you can just TELL that Watson's head is on the verge of falling off his shoulders. Watson tugging the blanket petulantly. Holmes reaching out his hand and Watson clinging to it as he walks over the ground like a tightrope artist. The business in the train OMG THE TRAIN!!!! (never mind the slightly anachronistic medical procedure. Big D commented, when I mentioned it "you mean it wasn't publicized yet...") The last dance, both of them dressed to the nines, the conversation, then "on to work"...somehow so right.

I must agree, Irene's death worked for me. She had finished her arc and it emphasized just what a rotter Moriarity is.

Spoiler! Spoiler! Well...vague spoiler!

Just wondering about this, if I'm the only one that's somewhat perturbed about the fact the big emotional OMG beat for the start of part 3 has effectively been eliminated? :( Maybe that'll be Mary's death. Just because I don't loath her doesn't mean I don't think her character should follow the same route as it did in the books. It really should be Holmes and Watson to the end.

Must see this again. This is a rouser and no mistake.

[piplover.livejournal.com]

No flames here! Though maybe a few tomatoes, lol. ;-p

For me, Mary of the movie doesn't work, no matter how tough she appears for a few minutes. Her actions did absolutely nothing to endear her to me.

My problem with Mary is her whole attitude. Her superior than thou, looking down her nose at Holmes attitude. I'm sorry, but he's her husband's best friend. You don't make your beloved choose. You just don't. And although she may never say the words, her whole attitude is one of "choose me over him."

Watson may not have married a dope, but he did marry a simpering, arrogant woman. Her ability to hold a gun does nothing to raise her in my eyes. Especially when she was whining to Watson the whole time.

Sorry, that was probably more vitriolic than I meant for, but I do despise movie Mary.

As for the end, I think we may still have our OMG moment. After all, Holmes hasn't revealed himself yet! I'm still hoping for a faint and dramatics!

And yes, for Mary to die, lol!